Brian Nelson’s Post

We know the world needs more power with lower emissions. To support the #energytransition, we need an electricity grid that can support increasing power demand both sustainably and reliably.   My #ABB Electrification colleague Brian Nelson and others joined global experts across industry and government at #ClimateWeek in NYC to discuss how we get there, collectively. Hear his top three insights from the week below.   My thoughts? The technologies we need for a net zero future by 2050 exist, but we need to move faster. Modernizing our infrastructure, supporting large-scale to local power require investment from industry and government, and ABB Electrification is up for the challenge.   What investments or actions do you think are most critical to accelerate the energy transition to achieve #netzero?

This year's edition of #Enlit demonstrated the accelerating pace of the energy transition in the EU. While there’s still an urgent need to speed up, the conversation has moved beyond #renewable capacity to grid flexibility and debottlenecking. In my view, congestion and capacity issues in the grid could be greatly alleviated by developing nodal pricing and advanced community grids. These approaches offer promising ways to ease pressure on infrastructure at the national level and improve resilience. There’s also broad consensus for direct #electrification wherever possible. Interestingly, many still overlook that large high temperature industrial furnaces can also be electrified. Electrifying furnaces can significantly improve integrated process efficiency as flue-gas production is eliminated—something which combustion-based systems cannot avoid. The energy transition offers vast opportunities, and it’s inspiring to see so many exploring and driving these innovations. Looking forward to next year’s edition!

🌍⚡ Challenges & Opportunities in Modernizing the Grid ⚡🌍 From integrating distributed energy resources to leveraging AI-driven smart grids, the path to a sustainable energy future is both challenging and full of potential. #EnergyTransition #GridModernization #SmartGrids #Sustainability

👩🏻🔧 Why grid modernization isn’t just nice to have – it’s mission-critical. Europe’s grid is the backbone of our green ambitions, but it’s aging and under pressure. The EU’s latest policy goals are crystal clear: to hit our climate targets, grid development can’t wait. Here’s what that means for operators: 1. Security & Speed: The grid needs to keep up with the explosive growth of renewables and electrification (think EVs, heat pumps, and peak-demand forecasts that look like a rocket launch). 2. Reliability & Resilience: Outages don’t just annoy customers; they cost the economy billions. Ensuring robust infrastructure isn’t just a policy checkbox—it’s essential. 3. Digitalization: From real-time monitoring to predictive maintenance, digital transformation isn’t just buzz—it’s the toolkit for resilient grid operations. The "Grids for Speed" report dives deep into these needs, offering a roadmap for building tomorrow’s resilient grid. primtech is here to support these efforts with a scalable digitalization service for HV substations that can boost the digital transformation of grid operators and cut project timelines. 👉 For the full report, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eRuj4Bjq #GridModernization #EnergyTransition #DigitalTwins #EUClimateGoals

Interesting read > The U.S. Urgently Needs a Bigger Grid. Here’s a Fast Solution. A rarely used technique to upgrade old power lines could play a big role in fixing one of the largest obstacles facing clean energy. https://buff.ly/4ev65ie via @nytimes #sustainability #CleanEnergy

Great article Giles Hanglin - highlighting that we can move faster with the energy transition and have a clean electric future, by using the right technology and expertise. Your grid scale battery storage and solutions seem to be helping National Grid do that, which is good for all of us. 👍 #energytransition #electricfuture https://lnkd.in/e8Fap6Hr

📝 A common, reoccurring problem - short term planning, and then a reactive stage when those short term plans in even shorter time realise they don’t meet the intended target..🎯 “The biggest barrier is that the industry and regulators are still caught in a short-term, reactive mind-set,” said Casey Baker, a senior program manager at GridLab. This mindset of quick fixes and “insufficient budget” does the exact opposite of “fix” and “budget” - instead, it fixes nothing, and costs more… 📈 📞 I call upon the National Government, Local Government and Town Planners - let’s plan effectively, engage consultants with the ability to provide a plan with an appropriate course of action that addresses the future growth of an area, and meets the capacity required in the first instance, this may be at a higher cost now, but no further costs will be needed for expansion and further development for a longer period of time. It’s so far beyond the electrical industry, look at our roads, our housing, our urban planning… “Let’s build a motorway, charge our citizens hundreds of millions a year to travel on these roads, there are 2 lanes in one direction, and in 3 years, let’s spend more tax payers money to add another 2 lanes, in space that was already then available - cause works to stop commuters, or slow them down… it just seems like a very “unplanned - plan” Do better, do it right the first time! 👩🏻💻📉

In addition to upgrading physical infrastructure like power lines, we should also focus on implementing smart grid technologies. These technologies utilize advanced sensors, communication networks, and data analytics to optimize the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid. By integrating renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and demand-response programs into the grid, we can better manage fluctuations in supply and demand, reduce wastage, and enhance overall grid resilience. This holistic approach not only maximizes the potential of our existing infrastructure but also lays the foundation for a more sustainable and adaptable energy system for the future.

Fresh thinking is required and a recalibrated approach is a must regarding GTD. high cost, concentrated models were around. Now is the time for rethink. Earlier power 'Generation' (G) (really one form of energy is changed into another!) was done in a 'geographically concentrated' manner. We have large hydro-electric plants on rivers using dams doing environmental damage. We also have 'pit-head' based coal using thermal power plants of four and more giga-watts of capacity at a place. Above generate huge energy in a square mile or two area, then electric energy is transmitted to thousand or more miles for consumption. This was the thought behind 'one nation, one grid' type of initiatives. Huge energy loss in the form of heat generated in the conductors happens when we do cross-country HT transmissions. 12 to 15 percent losses in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) were seen. Sustainability has been a far-cry here. With smaller capacity 'energy farms' like solar and wind coming up on Generation front, there is a new re-look required and attempt to re-calibrate the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) of electric energy now. Minimized distance between G and T&D. The path forward is more along the lines of 'Micro and Mini Grids'. Local generation and local consumption shall surely reduce T&D losses. Distributed generation, reduced transmission requirements, and localized distribution for consumption should be our future model. Low losses, and better grid control shall be the outcome. No need for high cost Smart Grids! Our planet and future generations shall be blessed.

Here's a fast solution.